ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Finance
AIIB decides to invest $140M to improve Rural Connectivity in India;
Project to benefit about 1.5 Million Rural residents of 5,640 Villages in Madhya Pradesh.
Approximately 1.5 Million rural residents in State of Madhya Pradesh are going to directly benefit from improved livelihoods, education and mobility with the USD $ 140-Million loan approved by the Board of Directors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank  in a Meeting held recently in Beijing. The Project, co-financed with the World Bank, aims to improve the rural road connectivity and management for residents of about 5,640 villages who use the rural roads for daily activities.
Livelihoods of the rural population will be improved by expanding income earning opportunities through better farm-to-market road connections. Moreover, more children are expected to enroll in higher education programs and school attendance is expected to further improve. The road maintenance pilot under the Project will employ more women, contributing to gender equality and income generation.
“Promoting sustainable growth in India through investment in rural infrastructure will require substantial financing,” said AIIB Vice President and Chief Investment Officer D.J. Pandian. “I am glad that AIIB’s participation in this project will contribute to reducing this financing gap and enhance overall development in the region.”
In addition to the above, the Project also aims to improve durability and accessibility, and enhance resilience to climate change of the gravel surfaced rural road in State of Madhya Pradesh while building the capacity of the State to manage its rural road network and road safety.
The planned activities under the Project are:
· Upgrading the gravel surfaced roads to a sealed surface standard.
· Providing additional linkages to villages with potential for high growth.
· Enhancing institutional capacity through implementing/upgrading a rural road asset management system and strengthening design and research and quality assurance capacity of the implementation agency.
· Developing road safety management capacity with road accident data management system and piloting a comprehensive road safety program.
· Supporting design, implementation and management.
AIIB Director General of Investment Operations SupeeTeravaninthorn said that this Project will provide sustainable and safe last-mile connectivity to small villages and improve mobility of the rural population of Madhya Pradesh. He said that the Project will stimulate economic development in the entire State of Madhya Pradesh and improve the livelihoods of the rural population, especially rural women and girls. It is a typical reflection of our priorities of enhancing economic growth and sustainability through infrastructure investment.
More details and information and the Project’s Environmental and Social Management Plan
are available at https://www.aiib.org/en/projects/approved/index.html
Special Service and Features
Master Siddharth Kumar Gopal from Kerala tops Preliminary Round of 2nd Fit India Quiz
The results of the Preliminary Round of the 2nd Fit India Quiz were announced on Thursday. This is India’s biggest online sports and fitness quiz conducted in mobile platforms, taking place across 36 States and Union territories of India.
Siddharth Kumar Gopal from St Thomas Residential School, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala stood first in the preliminary round.
Pratik Singh from Gujarat, Swapnil Deshpande from Telangana, Shashwat Mishra from Uttar Pradesh remained the National toppers among the male students while Jashanpreet Kaur from Punjab, Estuti Awasthi from Uttar Pradesh and Aakriti Kaushal from Punjab stood National toppers among the female students.
The 2nd edition of the Fit India National Fitness and Sports Quiz for Schools was launched on 29th August last year by Union Minister, Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh Thakur and Minister of State, Youth Affairs & Sports and Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri NisithPramanik, in the presence of Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
The 2nd edition of the quiz has seen a massive participation of 61,981 students from 16,702 schools across 702 districts of India. In comparison, the first edition of the Fit India Quiz saw a total participation of 36,299 students from 13,502 schools. The highest representation in the preliminary rounds of the Fit India Quiz 2022 was from the State of Uttar Pradesh – a total of 20,470 students from 5368 schools. UP was followed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
The preliminary rounds were held on 8th & 9th December 2022 by the National Testing Agency . The National Testing Agency is the same institution that conducts the IIT and JEE entrance exams. The rounds constituted a mobile-based multiple choice online round taken by students from their home or school.
The quiz provides an opportunity for students and schools to win total cash prizes worth more than Rs 3.25 crores. Into its second edition, the Fit India Quiz gives a unique platform to students from each and every nook and corner of the country to showcase their knowledge in sports and fitness and providing opportunity to feature on National Television.
Following the declaration of results of the preliminary rounds, the State rounds for Fit India Quiz 2022 are to be held in April 2023. A total of 348 teams from 36 states/UTs will be competing to become the State/UT champion for their respective States/UTs. The 36 State/UT champions will further compete in the National Finals scheduled in June 2023.
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Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
DG Shipping conducts inquiry into yesterday’s collision of Indian fishing boat Oceanic with unknown merchant vessel off Kerala Coast
Search under progress to find the missing fishermen
A collision incident has been reported to the Directorate General of Shipping, under Ministry of Shipping, involving a fishing boat "OCEANIC", registered in Kerala and an unknown merchant vessel. The date, time and position of the casualty was reported as 7th August 2018, 03:30 am  and 10 deg 24 mins N, 075 deg 38 mins E respectively. As per the latest information received, there were 14 Indian fishermen in the fishing boat at the time of this casualty, of which 3 are dead, 2 injured/hospitalized and the remaining 9 fishermen are missing.
Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Shipping, has expressed deepest condolences to the families of the deceased fishermen. Massive search and rescue mission is under progress with the deployment of 3 Air Crafts and 3 ships by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. It is also understood that many fishing boats  are also involved in voluntary search operations and is highly appreciated.
This casualty has occurred off Chettuva, Ernakulam, Kerala in the West Coast of India. The Directorate has been digitally analyzing and retrieving positions of all the merchant ships that have transited around the reported location about the time of this incident with the help of our internal mechanisms and resources. Indian Coast Guard  has also examined vessel traffic of the reported incident and time. Accordingly, two vessels were found to be in the closest proximity of the reported casualty and have been advised not leave Indian waters till further orders. Further, possibility of involvement of two more merchant vessels has not been ruled out at this stage, since position and time of the incident needs to be confirmed.
The Investigation team from DG Shipping, has started the process of inquiry and is constantly coordinating with other agencies, including the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Police and the Kerala State Government. Two teams of professional investigators from Kochi and Mumbai/ DG Shipping have been engaged in physical inspection of the suspected vessels for collecting other corroborating evidence.
PIB Headquarters
107th Indian Science Congress to be held at Bangalore next month: Spot registration from 1st to 7th January
107th Indian Science congress , organized by Indian Science Congress Organization will be held at University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, Karnataka from 3rd to 7th January 2020. Spot registration for the delegates will be available from 1st to 7th January. ISC will welcome a large number of speakers, research scholars and students from the faculty of science from all across the country.
The programs will be conducted in 27 halls and on eight sessions a day. Any queries can be made through toll-free number 1800 572 2020 or through mail isc107uasb[at]gmail[dot]com. The ISC Association have released an android application named ‘ISC 2020 UASB’ for easy navigation of programs, dates, venues and updates regarding the congress which can be downloaded from Google Play Store.
The major events of ISC are Science Communicators Meet, Children Science Congress, Science Exhibition and Women’s Science Congress. The focal theme of the congress is “Science and Technology: Rural Development”. The congress will address the challenges involving in rural production and productivity, greater socio-economic equality and aspiration balance in social and economic development. The congress aims to provide a platform for the science fraternity of the country to uplift the livelihoods of rural poor by taking advantage of the recent developments in science and technology in rural areas which will increase the socio-economic status of the rural population.
Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi is to inaugurate the congress. CM of Karnataka Shri B. S. Yediyurappa and Deputy CM of Karnataka Shri LaxmanSangappaSavadi will take part in the inauguration ceremony.
SC …..
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Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Tree Plantation Drive and Inspection at Rajghat and Smriti Sthal
In pursuance of the decisions taken last week for planting 1 million trees in Delhi as a commitment to greening Delhi, a Tree plantation drive along with inspection at Rajghat and Smriti Sthal was undertaken today morning at 8 am by Sh Durga Shankar Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs along with senior officials of the ministry and DG, CPWD.
In a significant decision taken last week in a meeting chaired by Sh. Hardeep Puri, MoS, Housing and Urban Affairs it was decided that the NBCC/CPWD will re-work the design and plans for the remaining redevelopment of the 7 GPRA colonies to avoid felling/cutting of trees. It was also decided that the planting of more than one million trees, of 8-12 feet height, will be completed in the next three months during the monsoon season and the trees will comprise of fruit-bearing, flowering and other green trees. Further, citizens groups will also be Invited to suggest locations for transplantation of trees
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RJ/SB
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Ministry of Defence
Joint Exclusive Economic Zone  Surveillance of Maldives
Indian Naval  ship Sumedha, a Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel , has been deployed to undertake joint EEZ surveillance of Maldives from 09 to 17 May 18, as part of Indian Navy’s ‘Mission Based Deployments’. The ship would undertake an Operational Turnaround  at Male from 11 to 12 May 2018, during which the ship would interact and impart training to Maldives’ National Defence Forces  personnel. Sumedha would also embark MNDF personnel onboard and undertake joint EEZ surveillance of Maldives from 12 to 15 May 2018. The MNDF personnel would be disembarked at Male, on completion of the EEZ surveillance.
Two officers and eight sailors of the Indian Navy’s Marine Commando  cadre are currently conducting the 2nd Asymmetric Warfare Training Exercise ‘Ekatha 2018’ at Maldives, from 28 Apr to 15 May 2018. The exercise is being held at Composite Training Centre, Maafilhafushi, which is about 145 km North of Male. During the exercise training on various diving related issues including use and maintenance of diving equipment, medical emergencies, etc, are being imparted to MNDF personnel. The Indian Ambassador to Maldives also witnessed the training exercise on 06 and 07 May 2018. IN ship Sumedha would de-induct the IN MARCOs Training Team from Male on 15 May 2018.
The Joint EEZ surveillance of Maldives is an endeavour of the Government of India and the Indian Navy to ensure the safety and security of the vast EEZ of the island nation.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the demise of Shri Kuldeep Raj Gupta
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of popular leader from Jammu & Kashmir Shri Kuldeep Raj Gupta. The Prime Minister said that Shri Kuldeep Raj Gupta devoted his life to people's welfare and social empowerment.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"जम्मू-कश्मीर के लोकप्रिय भाजपा नेता कुलदीप राज गुप्ता जी के निधन से अत्यंत दुख हुआ है। उन्होंने अपना जीवन जन कल्याण के साथ-साथ समाज के सशक्तिकरण के लिए समर्पित कर दिया। ईश्वर शोक की इस घड़ी में उनके परिजनों और समर्थकों को संबल प्रदान करे। ओम शांति!"
Prime Minister's Office
Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Mr. Nikolai Patrushev calls on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Nikolai Patrushev, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.
They discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, as well as international issues of mutual interest.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
G20 Employment Working Group to focus on three priority areas -Addressing Global Skill Gaps, Gig and Platform Economy, Social Protection and Sustainable Financing of Social Security
India has assumed the rotating G20 Presidency for the year 2023, beginning from 01st December, 2022.The Ministry of Labour and Employment is conducting meetings of the Employment Working Group of The G20, which will culminate into the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers' Meeting in July, 2023. The three priority areas for the G20 Employment Working Group are-
- Addressing Global Skill Gaps
- Gig and Platform Economy and Social Protection
- Sustainable Financing of Social Security.
The issue notes on these priority issues have been prepared and circulated to all G20 countries. The ILO-UNICEF joint report  highlights broader policy imperative in the form of immediate need to extend social protection for children and their families to mitigate the poverty and economic uncertainty that underpin child labour.
Ministry of Labour & Employment has been implementing National Child Labour Project  Scheme for rehabilitation of child labourers through District Project Societies under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate. Under the NCLP scheme, the children in the age group of 9-14 years are rescued / withdrawn from work and enrolled in the NCLP Special Training Centers , where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system. NCLP scheme has now been subsumed under Samagara Shiksha Abhiyan  Scheme with effect from 01.04.2021. Henceforth, the rescued child labourers will be mainstreamed into formal education system through STC operational under SSA.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
AYUSH
Argentina Federal Police to effectively use Yoga for stress management of its personnel
Embassy of India in Argentina will facilitate this Yoga program
Argentina federal police will now effectively use technique of Yoga for stress management of its personnel. Though Yoga has been practiced in this part of globe for last several years, yet in last couple of year, interest in yoga and awareness in Indian culture has increased rapidly. Earlier Yoga and meditation were also taught in some Latin American jails to calm down the convicts.
Embassy of India in Argentina and University Institute of the Argentine Federal Police  will be jointly conducting a workshop on Yoga. The general objective of this workshop will be to promote the practice of Yoga as a tool to develop physical, mental and emotional well-being, incorporating discipline techniques for stress management. University Institute of the Argentine Federal Police students, faculty, graduates, and staff; students from the School of Cadets and the School of NCOs and Agents of the Argentine Federal Police can participate in this workshop.
The Ministry of Ayush has been striding forth with establishing the curative values of yoga and integrating yoga with various disciplines to reap societal benefits. Yoga can be of immense benefit to the armed and paramilitary forces. Yoga is highly effective in enduring tolerance and proves to be immune-modulatory and also helps in augmenting stress hormones and neurotransmitters.
In India a customized yoga packages has been developed for army, air force and navy to tackle high altitude, hot desert and cold desert conditions and submarine and ship conditions. According to various research, it has been found that āsanas and prānayāms have enabled its application in combating the stress in soldiers and promoting their psycho-physiological fitness.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
IREDA gets ‘Infrastructure Finance Company’ status from RBI
IFC status to allow IREDA to take higher exposure to RE financing and raise funds at competitive rates
The Reserve Bank of India  has granted an ‘Infrastructure Finance Company ’ status to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency  today. It was earlier classified as ‘Investment and Credit Company ’.
With the IFC status, IREDA will be able to take higher exposure in RE financing. The IFC status will also help the company to access wider investor base for fund mobilisation, resulting in competitive rates for fund raising.
The recognition of IREDA as an IFC will increase the investors’ confidence, enhance the brand value, and generate positive outlook in the market. The grant of IFC status is a recognition of IREDA’s 36 years of infrastructure financing and development with focused development of Renewable Energy. With IFC status, IREDA will keep contributing towards Govt. of India’s target of 500 GW installed capacity of non-fossil fuels by 2030.
Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director of IREDA, said, “The IFC status is a significant milestone for IREDA and will enable us to maintain our leading position as a financier of RE space. IREDA will continue to play a motherly role for development of RE sector.”
IREDA has been promoting, developing and financing new and renewable sources of energy with the motto: “Energy for Ever” since 1987. It finances all RE technologies and value chain such as solar, wind, hydro, bio-energy, waste to energy, energy efficiency, e-mobility, battery storage, biofuel and new and emerging technologies.
Special Service and Features
V.O.Chidambaranar Port completes 13 Major Sagarmala Projects at a cost of Rs.860 Crores
To Commemorate the completion of 7 years of Sagarmala Programme V.O.C. Port organized a media briefing at Ports Conference Hall.
To begin with, a video presentation on the activities carried out by Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways under the Sagarmala Programme were display to the media.
The Projects undertaken by V.O.Chidambaranar Port under Sagarmala were presented and subsequently, the media were briefed by Shri T.K. Ramachandran, IAS., Chairman, V.O.Chidambaranar Port Authority.
In V.O.Chidambaranar Port completes , upto March 2022, 13 Major Sagarmala Projects have been completed at a total cost of Rs.860 Crores, augmenting the capacity of Port to 40.80 MMTPA. The Major completed project includes Construction of Coastal Berth, Construction of NCB-III, Upgradation existing Coal Jetty -I, Dredging the dock basin for Coastal Cargo Berth, Development of 8 berth as Container Terminal, Mechanization of Cargo evacuation form 9th Berth to Coal yard.
At present, 3 Major Sagarmala Projects are in progress at own outlay of Rs. 807 Crores which will lead to capacity addition 7.2 MMTPA. The Major Projects under progress are Modification of Harbour entrance, Mechanization of NCB-III and Development of 9th Berth as Container Terminal.
V.O.Chidambaranar Port has also proposed to transform V.O.Chidambaranar Port as Transshipment Hub of East Coast of India by proposing to develop Outer Harbour at a cost of Rs.7500 Crores and convert berth 1 to 4 as Container Berths at a cost of Rs.2455 Crores.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM addresses Swachh Kumbh, Swachh Aabhaar programme in Prayagraj
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the Swachh Kumbh, Swachh Aabhaar event in Prayagraj.
He reached the dais after a dip in the waters of the Holy Sangam at Prayagraj, and after conducting a “Charan Vandana” of select sanitation workers, as a mark of respect to their efforts in ensuring a clean Kumbh.
He described all those, who have been involved in ensuring the best of arrangements for the devotees gathering at Prayagraj for the Kumbh, as “Karm-Yogis.” In this context, he mentioned the NDRF, the boatmen, the local population, and the sanitation workers as well. Mentioning that over 21 crore people have visited the Kumbh over the last few weeks, he said the sanitation workers have shown that nothing is impossible. He said that they are most deserving, for all the appreciation that the Kumbh has got this year. He said the moments when he offered Charan Vandana to some sanitation workers, would always remain etched in his memory.
The Prime Minister said that the Swachh Seva Samman Kosh, announced today would help the sanitation workers and their families, in times of need.
The Prime Minister said that Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is progressing rapidly. He said the country is moving towards becoming Open Defecation Free before the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, on October 2 this year.
Shri Narendra Modi said that the cleanliness of the River Ganga has also been the subject of much discussion this year. He added that today, he has witnessed it first-hand. He said that this is also a result of the efforts of Namaami Gange, and the Union Government. He said drains falling into the river are being blocked, and sewage treatment plants being built. He said that a few days ago, he received the Seoul Peace Prize, which included an amount of about Rs. 1.30 crore. He said he has donated that amount towards the Namaami Gange Mission. He said the gifts and mementoes he has received as Prime Minister have also been auctioned, and their proceeds have also gone towards Namaami Gange.
The Prime Minister had a special word of appreciation for the boatmen  involved in Kumbh as well. He also noted that for the first time since independence, pilgrims arriving for Kumbh had a chance to visit the Akshay Vat.
The Prime Minister thanked everyone present in the gathering for fulfilling his vision of a Kumbh that was a blend of spirituality, faith and modernity. He also appreciated the role being played by the Uttar Pradesh Police in this regard.
The Prime Minister said that the arrangements made for Kumbh this year, have included development of vital infrastructure, which will continue to serve the city, even after the Kumbh Mela is over.